Jiang Lin finally collapsed onto the ground with a thud!
Jin Ye rubbed his temples, instructed his assistant to send Jiang Lin to the hospital, and then summoned Luo Zhu.
"What's the situation with the Jiang family?"
"We just received news that the Jiang family's villa caught fire early this morning. According to the fire department's assessment, multiple areas at the scene were doused with oil, suggesting arson."
Jin Ye's dark eyes narrowed as he fell into thought.
Jiang Lin might have offended people in the business world, but businessmen prioritized profit and had no reason to kill. Furthermore, Jiang Jiayi had just returned to the country, and currently, she only had a conflict with him.
Who exactly wanted her dead?
Luo Zhu pondered for a moment and said, "According to the servants, they saw Jiang Jiayi engulfed in flames, but her whereabouts are currently unknown."
Jin Ye was silent for a few seconds. "Perhaps she was taken away by the perpetrator."
Luo Zhu nodded. "Then I will continue to arrange for more manpower to investigate."
"Good," Jin Ye remembered another matter and added, "Has Wang Yan been harassing Su Ding recently?"
"Wang Yan has shown no recent activity," Luo Zhu replied.
"Keep a close watch on him. Have the hospital staff monitor Shao Lin closely, confiscate her communication devices, and send her to the police station once her injuries have healed. Additionally, Shao Zhenggang might go to see Wang Meilan soon; let him in and don't interfere."
Jin Ye waved his hand, dismissing Luo Zhu.
Those who had bullied Su Ding in the past would eventually have to pay their debts...
...
Hospital operating room.
When Jiang Jiayi opened her eyes, the bright surgical lights pierced her vision. A doctor loomed over her, the scalpel gleaming with a sharp, cold light.
Her body felt numb and sluggish; she couldn't move at all.
A deep-seated fear began to creep into her heart, spreading like fine tendrils into her limbs.
The silent, chilling atmosphere made her feel like livestock on an operating table, being dismembered without any possibility of resistance.
She watched, wide-eyed, as the doctor peeled away her burned skin, revealing the festering flesh beneath.
Then, a fresh patch of skin was placed over it...
Dark blood stained the pristine white gauze, and the thick scent of blood permeated the operating room, casting a heavy, terrifying pallor over the entire space.
The sight sent a jolt through Jiang Jiayi's heart. Her eyes widened, her lips parted...
No!
She couldn't make a sound, couldn't even move!
Then, a dull ache in her thigh, and her mind became instantly muddled and exhausted as she lost consciousness again.
At this moment, a man in black with sunglasses walked in.
"How is it?" His voice was hoarse, sounding like that of a middle-aged man.
"The skin graft is a perfect match, and the procedure is going smoothly. The patient just woke up; we administered a sedative."
"Notify me when she wakes up."
The man in sunglasses gave his instructions and then turned to leave.
When Jiang Jiayi woke up again, she found herself in a clean, bright hospital room.
She tried to move her limbs; an all-over ache and numbness persisted. White gauze tightly wrapped her body, even her head was completely bandaged.
"You're awake." The man in sunglasses pushed the door open and entered.
Jiang Jiayi couldn't sit up. She merely turned her head to look at him. As she parted her lips to speak, she felt a throbbing pain in her mouth.
"You've had full facial reconstruction. There's no need to speak."
The man in sunglasses pulled a chair to the bedside and sat down, scrutinizing her intently. "You suffered disfigurement from the fire. The plastic surgery went very smoothly, and you'll recover soon."
Jiang Jiayi stared at him in fear. The man had deep-set eyes that held a chilling gaze.
The man in sunglasses continued, "Once you've recovered, I'll tell you everything. But you're so clever, you should be able to figure out who orchestrated this 'accident' during your recovery."
Jiang Jiayi's eyes widened, unsure of what he meant.
At that moment, the man in sunglasses adjusted his glasses, stood up from his chair, and turned to leave.
Jiang Jiayi quietly watched his tall, mysterious retreating figure, a vast shadow enveloping her heart, threatening to consume her entirely.
...
When Jin Ye returned home, a doctor was examining Su Ding.
Su Ding was draped in a thin blanket, her shoulders appearing frail. Her small, palm-sized face was pale, and her beautiful eyes held a trace of weariness, yet remained soft and captivating.
She gently stroked her abdomen, "Doctor, how is it?"
The doctor frowned. "The mother's emotions affect the fetus. If you are feeling troubled, think of the baby. Also, you need to go out for walks occasionally these days, to move your legs and feet, and don't stay cooped up at home."
"Didn't you say earlier that she showed signs of miscarriage?" Jin Ye walked to the sofa and gently put his arm around Su Ding's shoulders.
"Threatened miscarriage requires rest and careful management, but emotional stability is also crucial. I don't know what is troubling Miss Su; whether she's feeling down at home or if there are issues in your marital relationship. But the best medicine is to maintain a cheerful disposition."
The doctor spoke directly, aiming to enlighten them.
Jin Ye's expression became grave. He wasn't unaware of Su Ding's recent worries, but he believed that respecting her and giving her private space was a way of showing his love.
However, it seemed...
Those who are drowning don't necessarily refuse a rescuer.
Su Ding glanced at Jin Ye uneasily and said to the doctor, "Okay, I understand. Thank you."
The doctor went to adjust the diet with the servants, leaving Jin Ye and Su Ding alone.
Jin Ye cut straight to the chase. "Shao Lin is suspected of kidnapping and is in police custody. The Jiang family villa caught fire, and Jiang Jiayi is missing, her whereabouts still unknown. This is what I've been occupied with these past few days."
Su Ding's eyes widened in disbelief.
It felt as though, in just a few days, these people had experienced such significant changes; she felt as though she might be dreaming.
Just then, her phone chimed.
A transfer notification appeared: Your account has received a company transfer of 148.924 million RMB...
Su Ding was even more dumbfounded. Why had she suddenly received so much money?
She looked at Jin Ye with suspicion. "Did you give this to me?"
Besides him, there was no one else.
"Didn't you say your family fortune was all gone?" Jin Ye said faintly.
Su Ding's face turned pale, then flushed with embarrassment. "How did you know?"